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Program FAQs
Educational Philosophy & Curriculum
We view children as active participants in learning.
Students construct their own meaning and understanding.
Our teachers act as collaborative learning facilitators.
We prioritize deep, critical thinking over rote memorization.
Students drive inquiry through hands-on, thematic projects.
We explicitly teach phonics, numeracy, and mathematical problem-solving.
Core subjects are embedded into meaningful, real-world contexts.
Teachers differentiate instruction to match each child's readiness.
We use multi-sensory tools instead of relying heavily on worksheets.
We use research and evidence-based programs.
We focus on meaningful learning experiences within the classroom.
Assignments focus on reading, curiosity, or continuing projects.
There are varied multiple forms of assessments for students and a myriad of ways students demonstrate understanding.
Literacy and math skills are formally assessed twice a year to track individual progress from K-5th.
We use a variety of informal assessments to track student growth and progress and to meet their individual needs.
We value performance, and portfolio-based projects.
Assessment & Academic Rigor
We use comprehensive narrative assessments and mastery rubrics.
Teachers continuously monitor daily work to guide instruction.
Regular weekly teacher communications keep families informed.
2 annual (winter and spring) conferences and 2 progress reports keep families closely aligned.
Standardized testing is not the driving force of our curriculum.
If administered, results are used strictly to inform teaching practices.
We do not ‘teach to the test’ or rank students against peers.
Graduates typically transition smoothly and adapt with high resilience.
Their education builds advanced critical thinking and strong self-advocacy.
They know how to collaborate effectively and manage their independence.
We provide targeted placement support to assist families with transitions.
Student Life & Social-Emotional Learning
Emotional safety and trust are core pillars of academic rigor.
We use restorative practices to resolve conflict and build empathy.
Daily morning meetings help cultivate a deep sense of belonging and a strong sense of community.
Students learn to articulate feelings and navigate group dynamics.
We do not rely on punitive measures like detentions or charts.
Behavior is treated as a form of communication needing guidance.
Teachers collaborate with students to build self-regulation skills.
Natural consequences and collaborative problem-solving guide behavioral growth.
Students attend separate specialists classes like music, library, PE, DREAM Lab, and SPARK
Specialists are integral and frequently co-teach with core faculty.
Arts, science, and movement are valued as vital ways of learning.
Curriculum themes often cross over into art, music, and PE.
School Community & Logistics
We look for active partners who support our mission.
Volunteer options include field trip chaperoning, sharing skills, community building events, and teacher support.
We host educational workshops to keep families connected.
Active communication with teachers is expected and highly encouraged.
We maintain class sizes of 12-18 for highly individualized attention.
In addition to the lead classroom teacher, students are supported by a team of Learning Specialists which helps keep a low student-to-teacher ratio (1:7)
Low ratios ensure every child's specific needs are fully met.
Some cohorts use co-teaching models or multi-age groupings.
It suits curious kids who thrive when given voice and choice.
It is ideal for kids who would benefit from building greater confidence, a willingness to take risks and to collaborate
It is ideal for families prioritizing the whole child over test scores and who are seeking deeper engagement in learning.
We recommend taking a campus tour to observe our live environment.
